Louise K. Sira Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Louise K. Sira, age 52, of Northville, passed away on October 1, 2020, at her residence with her loving husband, John, and beloved sons, John and Wyatt, by her side. She was born in Syracuse on March 27, 1968, a daughter of Nicholas and Donna Stegich Kauffman, and was a 1986 graduate of William Nottingham High School. In May 1990, Louise graduated magna cum laude from Syracuse University, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. She began her legal pursuits at Albany Law School of Union University in Albany, New York, and received her Juris Doctor in May 1993. Louise was admitted to the practice of law in January 1994. Throughout her college and law school years, Louise accumulated several honors, including inductions into Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, Eta Pi Epsilon Syracuse University Women’s Honorary Society, and Phi Eta Sigma Honorary Society, Corresponding Secretary. She participated in Senior Prize Trials (Fall 1992), Gabrielli Moot Court Competition (Fall 1991), and the Candidate Search Committee for Professors. Louise also amassed a wide variety of legal, ethical, and criminal law experience working as: a Law Clerk for Louis-Jack Pozner, Esq., Albany, NY; a Legal Research Assistant (Fall 1992) for Dean John T. Baker, Albany Law School, Albany NY; a Law Clerk (Summer 1992) for the Office of Counsel to Governor Cuomo, Albany, NY; a Legal Intern (Spring 1992) at the Albany County District Attorney’s Office, Albany, NY; as a Legal Intern (Fall 1991) for the New York State Ethics Commission, Albany, NY; and as a Legal Assistant (Spring 1989) at the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, Syracuse, NY. In March 1994, Louise’s determination, experience and academic excellence earned her the opportunity to work at the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office as an Assistant District Attorney. After serving as an ADA for three years, she was promoted to First Assistant District Attorney in June 1996. On January 1, 2002, Louise was appointed and assumed the role of Fulton County District Attorney. At 34 years old, she was one of the youngest elected officials to hold the position of District Attorney in Fulton County. During her twenty-one years as the Fulton County District Attorney, Louise made outstanding achievements in her professional and voluntary roles, always striving for justice, equity, and humanity. Louise personally handled the prosecution of the most serious cases that occurred within her Fulton County jurisdiction. Her efforts have been recognized in that she was presented with the Soroptimist International of Fulton County, Inc’s Women of Distinction Award in 2006. Louise was named as one of the Women of Distinction in June 2004 by the New York State Senate. She received the Ruth Voorhees Award from the Mental Health Association in 2006 and the Drug Court Recognition Award in 2006 and 2007. In June 2009, Louise was recognized by Girls Scouts USA, Northeastern Region and named their Woman of Distinction. In November 2009, her efforts were recognized by the NYS Fire Investigators Association, as Louise was honored as NYS Arson Prosecutor of the Year. Again, in 2010, her work in leading three arson investigations in Fulton County was recognized by the NYS Fire Investigators Association, as Louise was the leader of the group named Arson Investigation Team of the Year. In 2011, the New York Alliance Against Insurance Fraud named her its Prosecutor of the year. Louise’s work statewide, to pass and promote the All Crime DNA Bill, was recognized by Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2015. In her career as District Attorney, Louise worked hard to make a name for Fulton County in the criminal justice field. Her solid relationship with law enforcement, fostered by her deep-rooted respect for the men and women in blue, has revitalized collaborative endeavors in Fulton County, including the formation of Fulton County Violent Crime and Drug Task Force, her chairmanship of the Domestic Violence Take Force, and coordination of the Child Abuse Investigation Team. Louise promoted literacy and internet safety, and participated in civic organizations such as Soroptimist International of Fulton County, Inc. as the lead presenter for the ASPIRE Program. She sat on boards of directors, including the HFM Prevention Council, Citizens in Community Service, and the Fulton County Traffic Safety Board and supported the Crime Victims advocacy program for Fulton County. In November 2015 Louise was elected to the position of Fulton County Judge and Surrogate. She began her judgeship in January 2016 and served the citizens of Fulton, Montgomery, Schenectady and Saratoga Counties with the same professionalism and determination to make all four of these counties better places to live. Louise is survived by her husband John, whom she married on September 4, 1998; two sons, John and Wyatt of Northville; a stepson Jeremiah, of Broadalbin; her father, Nicholas Kauffman of Washington, DC; her mother, Donna Kauffman of Syracuse; two sisters, Donna (Todd) Frocione and Amy (Kevin) Sweeney, both of Syracuse; a brother, Nicholas Kauffman of Connecticut; a niece and several nephews. Calling hours will be held on Sunday October 18th, 2020 from noon - 3 pm at the Robert M. Halgas Funeral Home, Inc., 111 County Highway 106 (Corner of Route 29 & Black Street), Johnstown. A private memorial service will be held with Rev. Dr. R.W. Williams, officiating. In accordance with current health guidelines, facial coverings and social distancing are required. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Northville Central School PTO Louise K. Sira Honorary Scholarship Fund, in care of the funeral home.

Louise K. Sira

March 27, 1968 - October 1, 2020

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information